How an athlete prepares for competitions is something that changes from person to person. Some follow strict superstitions, while others take a more relaxed approach.

Irish 200m sprinter Phil Healy revealed on Wednesday’s Off The Ball that she tries to not worry about things that are outside her control in the hours before the race.

“The work is done so there’s nothing more you can do a couple of hours before the race,” the world number 27 sprinter said.

“It is all in your head so if you let the nerves get the better of you, you are obviously giving an advantage to your competitors straight away,” she added.

Healy also explained that she finds comfort in routine, while not going so far as to veer into superstition territory.

“Relaxing and listening to music, just things like that before you have to actually switch on and get in the game and focus while you’re warming up,” Healy said.

"Absolutely, it’s all about routine. It is like repeating the same thing for every competition so I would have all my times laid out: where I need to be, at what time.

“That just repeats for every competition so everything is the same and you have no variable changing,” she outlined.

However, away from the track, Healy also stressed the point that achieving academically is equally important to her as her sporting successes.

Phil Healy: balancing nursing and athletics

Initially studying children’s and general nursing, Healy explained that while she greatly enjoyed it, balancing her studies with athletics proved too difficult.

She changed course to science and applied computer technology.

“Sport is one side of things but you also have to have the academic on par as well because athletics can end at any point.

“It was super rewarding and I did all the placements and night shifts and all that along the way,” she said.

“Then I made it harder on myself because I did children’s and general nursing so I had extra hours and extra placements. I had two degrees in one.

“I really, really enjoyed nursing and the placements but it was really hard to balance them with athletics.

“I was looking at it and [athletics] was a decision that swayed my career choice.

“I have one chance at athletics and this was my chance to move to something that would allow me to balance everything, so I took it,” she explained.

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